Police investigating fatal motorcycle accident on Route 1

PORTSMOUTH — A 66-year-old North Hampton man was killed Tuesday after his motorcycle collided with a vehicle on Route 1.

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By Staff reports

seacoastonline.com

By Staff reports

Posted Jun. 3, 2011 at 2:00 AM

By Staff reports

Posted Jun. 3, 2011 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

PORTSMOUTH — A 66-year-old North Hampton man was killed Tuesday after his motorcycle collided with a vehicle on Route 1.

The accident occurred in front of the Phillips 66 gas station at about 1:30 p.m. State police said William Ostrander was traveling northbound on a 2009 United Motors Cruiser when a Kia sport-utility vehicle driven by Jenita Pruitt, 68, of Portsmouth, was heading out of the gas station parking lot and south on Route 1. Police said the action of the 2008 Kia caused Ostrander to "brake abruptly and lose control of the motorcycle."

Ostrander and the Kia collided, and Ostrander died at the scene, police said. Neither Pruitt nor her passenger appeared to be injured, police said. Both were transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital as a precaution, police said.

Route 1, from Heritage Avenue to Ocean Road, was closed for much of the afternoon as state and local police reconstructed the accident.

State police said it does not appear speed or alcohol were factors in the crash, which remained under investigation Tuesday night.

Portsmouth police and fire officials assisted at the scene.

Emergency responders initially received a report of a motorcyclist pinned under a vehicle, Portsmouth Fire Chief Christopher LeClaire said, adding that officials immediately called National Wrecker Service, which lifted the vehicle off Ostrander.

Fire officials and equipment from Stations 1 and 2 responded to the accident, LeClaire said. Station 3 provided coverage, which included two medical calls on the other side of the city.

Police urge those with information on the crash to call Trooper Christopher Storm at 223-8490 or e-mail Christopher.Storm@dos.nh.gov.